On April 18th, we found Harley limp in her cage. My brother thought she was just being a brat, so he picked her up -- and cradled her for a good 5 minutes. That's when we knew something was wrong.

Her chest was hard, and she was breathing really heavy. I called my vet, said I'm on the way, to have the oxygen ready for a ferret, and ran her there. After x-rays were done, it was confirmed, she had a diaphragm hernia. There was a surgery that could be done, but it was rarely successful in dogs and cats -- it would have been a miracle if it was successful for Harley.

I made the decision to help her pass peacefully, and no longer be in pain/with the fear of not being able to breathe.

I called my dad and told him to get there immediately -- Harley really was his baby, and he needed to be there. She put up a fight til the end, but Harley passed away peacefully, in his arms where she belonged, getting kisses and cuddles. Exactly what she lived for. Exactly what she loved.

Harley was adopted on June 2, 2010. I would have had her nearly 3 years. Three amazing years. She taught me so much about how loving ferrets really can be. She was 5 years old.

The day I was told I could get another ferret. Everybody knew she was mine.

Her and Renegade really loved each other. From the get-go.

One of the last photos I got of her

Almost always, when the ferrets were out running around, I would find her in the bed, fast asleep. She was often let out of the cage alone, because she would just go find her bed and nap. She just wanted to be out with people, even while sleeping.

Run free, Harley. I hope you found Rascal, Palom, Rogue and all the other ferrets gone before you. I hope there's a bed and blanket for you. <3

__________________Ella: 3 year old female ferretNacho: ~8 year old male ferretGoodbye, Rosey. You were the best girl I could have asked for. 10/15/96-03/08/13